Metal-casting apparatus



June 14, 1927. 1,632,469 v A. FORREST ET AL METAL CASTING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l l- 632 469 June 1927. A. FORREST ET AL y METAL CASTING APPARATUS 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 wwm v o M Original Filed Oct. 25. 1924 Patented June 14, 1927. i I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW FORREST AND GEORGE MARSHALL SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METAL-CASTING- APPARATUS.

Application flled October 25, 1924, Serial No. 745,804. Renewed April 13, 1927.

Our invention relates to metal casting apat the centers of the molds when the latter paratus and is designed to provide new and are in position in the usual manner as improved box-pouring means whereby 2. shown, it being understood that the dimenplurality of ingots may be cast at the same sions of the box and the number and artime from a single ladle. Our invention rangement of its nozzles may be varied acprovides means whereby the pouring-box or cording to the manner of arranging the -runner-box While carried independently of molds. The box 9 is substantially rectanguthe ladle is suspended from the same crane lar in shape and preferably is wider at its and is detachably connected with the ladle center than at its ends to form a central ex- 10 in such manner that when supported in horitension or well in rear of its nozzles, as

zontal position beneath the ladle-nozzle it shown for example in Figs. 3 and 4. This moves as a unit with the ladle as the latter 'contourvof the box is advantageous as it enis moved by the crane along a line of molds, ables the ladle-nozzles 2 to be'located nearer and it is free to be moved bodily away from the center of the ladle bottom, whereby the 15 the ladle when desired. Our invention also molten metal is drawn or discharged thercembodies other novel features as will herefrom more nearl from the center of its inafter more fully appear. mass, and it also isaligns the ladle-nozzle 2 In the accompanying drawings, which and central box-nozzle 10 when an uneven illustrate a practical embodiment of our innumber of the latter nozzles is employed;

20 vention, Figure 1 is a view in side elealso, it provides a well of suflicient size to vation of the apparatus assembled in poform abath of metal below the ladle-nozzle sition above a set of ingot molds; Fig-2 is to prevent the metal being poured therein a view in front elevation of the same, the from splashing on the sides of the box and suspension devices of the ladle being omitted spattering out of it. Each nozzle 10 is pro- 25 for convenience of illustration; Fig. 3 is a vided with a stopper 11 carried on the inner top plan view, partly in section on the line end of a rod 12'which is controlled by an ac- .3-3 in Fig. 2, part of the ladle beingbroken tuating-mechanism 13 mounted on the box away; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the pourand operated by a handle 14-which is piving-box; Fig. 5 is an end view of the same, oted as at 15 and projects over the pouring- 3 and Fig. 6 1s a central cross-sectional view platform in position to be manipulated by of the same being taken on the line 6-6 in the operator; in practice the stopper is a Fig. 4 with a stopper-mechanism added. graphite head, and the stopper-rod is Referrin to the drawin s, the reference sheathed and the box is lined with refracnumeral 1 esignates a cast ng ladle having tory material as indicated in Fig. 5. The

35 a bottom pouring nozzle 2, stopper 3 and box is suspended from an auxiliary hoist o0 stopper-control mechanism 4 operated by a 180 on the traveling craneindependently of handle 5 which projects over the usual pourthe ladle and in such manner as to be bodily ing-platform (not shown) in position to be movable with relation to the ladle and to be manipulated by the operator. The ladle is suspended in a substantially horizontal pow provided with the usual trunnions 6 for a sition beneath the ladle-nozzle and to move suitable ladle-hanger 7 by which it is susas a unit with the ladle While the latter is pended from the main hoist 70 of an overmoved by the crane along a line of molds. head traveling crane indicated generall at In theexemplification of this feature of our 170, so that the ladle can be moved a ong invention here shown, the trough is pro- 45 above a series of ingot molds 8. vided with an opposite pair of end-brackets A pouring-box or runner-box 9, supported 16 Which-are bolted to a carrier designated beneath the nozzle 2 of the ladle, is of suffigenerally as 17 which is suspended by a cient length to extend above a set or nest of hanger 18 from the auxiliary hoist 180 on molds.8 arranged in the usual manner, and the traveling crane from which the ladle is 50 has a plurality of bottom-pour nozzles or suspended. The carrier 17 is in the form of ports 10 corresponding in number and locaan inverted U.-shaped frame which is longer tion with the molds of a set. In the form than the ladle and approximately the same shown the box has three such nozzles suitwidth as the diameter of the ladle, and comably spaced apart to discharge .in the axial prises a top cross-piece l9 and opposite delines of the mold-cavities to pour the streams pending parallel side-pieces 20, which latter the box-brackets16 are bolted.

The pouring-box is suspended independently of the ladle so that its weight is taken ofi the latter, and if occasion requires it can be bodily swung away from the ladle to allow the latter to pour directly into the molds and to enable the box to be used with other ladles. Detachable connections, preferably automatic in their attaching and detaching functions as the box. is moved to and away from the ladle, are arranged between the box-carrier and ladle in suchmanner that the box and ladle move in unison. on the crane when the ladle is moved along the molds and the box is free to be bodily moved from position under the ladle-nozzle by merely swinging the box-carrier away from the ladle. In the exem lification shown, the

box-carrier is provide near its lower end with a cross-band 24: which preferably is shaped to conform to the contour of the ladle, as shown for example in Fig. 3, and preferably carries a spaced set of buffersprings 25 which take under correspondingly spaced brackets 26 fixed on the front of the ladle, to form a spring-cushion between the box and ladle. Each side-piece 20 of the carrier is provided with a lateral guard 27 which PIOjBCtS rearwardly and inwardly to abut against the corresponding side of the ladle and take under a. stop-piece 28 fixed on the side of the ladle when the parts are assembled in operative relation. By this arrangement the band 24 and. brackets 26 cooperate to position the box-well in line with the ladle-nozzle and space the box beneath the same, and the guards 27 and stops 28 cooperate to limit the vertical position of the box with relation to this nozzle; the inter-. connections thus formed are automatic in the operations of attaching and detaching the box and ladle, and are so arranged that while the ladle does not carry any of the weight of the box these parts are interlocked and move as a unit On the crane as the ladle is moved above the molds. Furthermore, the box is adjustable with relation to the ladle to accommodate molds ofvarying heights by merely operating its hoist, and in all its operative positions its rear well allows a central run or flow of metal from the'ladle. The spring-buffer cushions the assembly of the box and ladle without any stress or i shock, and com ensates any pull or tightness of the cab es to prevent tipping the ladle and any movement of the ladle by the action of its cables as itempties, The bottom of the box is shaped so that all the metal runs out without requiring the box to be tilted, and the regulation of the pouring by,

the box-stoppers instead of by tipping the box is advantageous as one or more of the box-nozzles can be closed if there is not enough metal in the ladle near the end of.

comprising a carrier suspended from the crane independently of said ladle, a pouringbox on the carrier beneath said ladle-nozzle and having a plurality of pouring passages to supply different molds and a central well in rear of its passages, and independently operated stoppers for said box-passages.

2. In a metal casting apparatus, the combination with a traveling crane, and. a ladle suspended from the crane and having a bottom pouring nozzle, of a pouring device comprising a carrier suspended from the crane independently of the ladle, a pouring-box on the carrier beneath the ladle-nozzle and having a plurality of pouring passages, and detachable co-operating means on the carrier and ladle to connect the same for unitary movement. I

3. In a metal casting apparatusfthe combination with a traveling crane, and a ladle suspended from the crane and having a bottom pouring nozzle, of a pouring device comprising a carrier suspended .from the crane independently'of the ladle, a pouringbox on the carrier, a cross-band on the carrier to position the box in the line of the ladle nozzle, and co-operating means on the carrier and ladle to connect the same 'for unitary movement.

4. In a metal casting apparatus, the combination with a ladle having a bottom pour ing nozzle, of a pouring device comprising a carrier suspended independently of the ladle, a pouring-box on the carrier beneath the ladle-nozzle and having a plurality of pouring passages, and co-operating means including a spring-buffer between the carrier and ladle to connect'the same for unitary movement.

5. In a metal casting apparatus, the combination with a ladle havlng a bottom pouring nozzle, of an inverted U-shaped carrierframe suspended independently of the ladle, a pouring-box on the carrier having a plurality of pouring passages in its bottom and a central well in the rear of said passages, a cross-band on the lower-portion of the carrier, brackets on the ladle, springs between the brackets and cross-band,-inwardly directed guards on the sides of thecarrier, and stops on the ladle above the guards.

6. In a metal casting apparatus, a traveling crane; e ladle suspended from the crane nozzle whilethe ladle is moved along a series I and having a. bottom pouring nozzle, a, pourof molds.

ing-box having a. plurality of curing pas- In testimony whereof we aflix our signa- 3 sages, and a box-carrier suspen ed from the tures hereto.

crane independently of the ladle and having means so engage the ladle and brackets to ANDREW FORREST. support the box inposition below the ladle GEORGE MARSHALL SMITH. 

